Bringing the Community Together鈥擮ne Game at a Time
May 09, 2025
Author
Lyons Central School District鈥檚 First-Ever Community Family Feud Night
Participants on stage during Community Family Feud Night.
What happens when you mix a classic game show, local heroes, and a whole lot of school spirit? You get a night to remember鈥攁nd a powerful model for community engagement.
On April 3, 2025, Lyons Central School District (LCSD) in Lyons, N.Y. turned a bold idea into a memorable reality by hosting its first-ever Community Family Feud Night at the Earl Buchanan Auditorium at Lyons Middle/High School.
The event wasn't just about fun and games鈥攊t was about forging deeper connections between the school district, community partners, and families in a setting that encouraged laughter, pride, and a whole lot of cheering.
A Game Show with a Purpose
Inspired by Superintendent Dr. Matthew Barr, who also served as the host, the event was designed to bring together representatives from across the town in a format that felt familiar, engaging, and light-hearted.
In true Family Feud style, teams from several key local organizations competed on stage, including:
- Lyons Central School District
- Wayne County Sheriff's Department
- Lyons Fire Department
- Lyons Community Center, Inc.
- Town of Lyons
- Lyons National Bank鈥檚 鈥淟oan Rangers鈥� 鈥� who claimed the big win!
Audience members also got in on the action, with two community teams randomly selected at the door. This spontaneous participation brought a delightful twist鈥攁llowing students and even retired teachers to join in, connect, and represent Lyons in front of a full crowd.
Sheriff's Department.
More Than Just a Game
The event had all the ingredients of a great evening鈥攇ood-natured competition, family-friendly entertainment, and even local food truck PJ's Pit Stop fueling the fun. But at its heart, this night was about something deeper: celebrating the partnerships and people who make Lyons a great place to live and learn.
Behind the scenes, a group of dedicated LCSD staff members volunteered their time to coordinate logistics, manage the flow of the event, and ensure every detail was taken care of.
The result? A packed auditorium, a standing-room-only crowd, and a shared sense of community pride that echoed far beyond the walls of the school.
A Blueprint for Engagement
鈥淲e wanted to create something that brings people together in a positive and interactive way,鈥� said Dr. Matthew Barr. 鈥淭his event celebrates the partnerships that make Lyons such a vibrant place to live, learn, and grow.鈥�
The success of Community Family Feud Night is a strong reminder for school leaders: authentic, joyful events like this have the power to build bridges between schools and the wider community.
When students, families, staff, and community members gather not just to watch鈥攂ut to participate鈥攊t creates a sense of shared purpose and pride that no newsletter or meeting can quite replicate.
Lessons for Other Districts
Lyons CSD鈥檚 approach is a creative and replicable model for community engagement.
Advice for other districts looking to replicate the event:
- Leverage local partnerships
- Create multiple opportunities for involvement - both big and small
- Infuse fun and familiar formats
- Celebrate community identity and pride
Bringing family, community and district members together in a light and fun filled environment can cultivate deeper relationships and build lasting impact.
In the end, Lyons showed that engagement doesn鈥檛 have to be complicated鈥攊t just has to be meaningful. And sometimes, all it takes is a buzzer, a few good questions, and a room full of people ready to play.
